Former Haverhill City Councilor Francis X. Kelly, 88, a native and lifelong resident of Haverhill, died Dec. 28, 2016 at The Oxford, Haverhill, following a long illness.
Raised and educated in Haverhill, the son of the late James F. and Mary (Lavallee) Kelly, he attended Saint Gregory’s School, and was a member of the Saint James class of 1946 and its varsity football and baseball teams. He served honorably as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was a recipient of the Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Army of Occupation Medal for service in Japan and the United Nations Service Medal.
Kelly graduated from Merrimack College in 1957 with a degree in civil engineering and was employed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for 38 years, retiring in 1990. He was active in local politics and served on the Haverhill City Council from 1979 to 1985 and was chairman of the Public Safety Committee. A longtime member of All Saints Parish and the former Saint Joseph Parish he was also a member of the Lorraine Post of the VFW and Post 147 of the Am Vets. Kelly enjoyed golfing, swimming, dancing at the Clubs at Wonderland and Rockingham Park, spending time at his daughter’s farm in Winchendon and boating on Lake Monomonac and traveling to Europe and the Islands with his wife.
He leaves his wife of 63 years, Pauline (Gauvin) Kelly; daughter, Elaine Kelly of Winchendon; son Robert Kelly of Haverhill; and several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to call Monday, Jan. 2, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Berube-Comeau Funeral Home, 47 Broadway, Haverhill. His funeral begins Tuesday morning at 11:30, from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 p.m. in All Saints Church, 120 Bellevue Ave., Haverhill. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery. Donations in his name may be made to All Saints Parish.
C honest
fran was a good friend. he will be missed